The discovery of a Dubai trainer sitting on a dolphin has sparked outrage
The video, shot at the UAE tourist attraction, shows a female trainer sitting on the back of a dolphin for about 6 seconds before diving into a pool. According to experts, the stunt could have easily damaged the dolphin's organs. This is because mammals cannot support their body weight outside of water, so adding a human's weight on top of that risks causing serious harm!
Campaigners claimed two trainers were responsible for the video, but both have since deleted their accounts. The Dolphinarium, which opened in 2008, confirmed that an investigation was underway but declined to comment any further. The video footage is being reviewed but cannot be discussed as it is still under investigations, as per the attraction’s statement. “It is well known that the body of dolphins is very sensitive” said Dr. El-Sayed Mohammad, Regional Director of the International Fund for Animal Welfare, to Gulf News. The dolphin's body cannot adapt to any outside pressure. As well as “pressing the dolphin's abdomen to the floor can easily harm its internal organs, you can imagine how painful it is to punch someone in the abdomen. It's irrelevant whether it takes seconds or not. It is cruelty to animals.”
The Dubai Dolphinarium is a popular touristic destination where visitors can see dolphins and seals perform circus-style tricks in daily shows. The animals dance, sing, juggle, play ball, and jump through hoops for 45-minutes. Guests can also pay extra to swim with dolphins, which entails being hauled along while clinging to the animal's belly fins or dorsal fin. Customers are also promised the opportunity to hug, kiss, and dance with the animals.
Animal rights organizations have been calling for the abolition of all captive animal shows, calling them cruel and abusive. This act is tantamount to abuse, according to the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). The non-profit organisation called on US theme park SeaWorld to “stop trainers from abusing dolphins by riding on their backs and standing on their faces”.